“Being more connected and dependent on each other than ever, we simply cannot afford to be self-centered and ignorant. We all need to see the big picture,” Ms. Kaljulaid told leaders gathered for the second day of the Assembly’s annual general debate.
She said empathy can easily translate into effectiveness “if we really want to get things done. Words are important, but they are not enough if they are not followed by concrete actions”, and that all nations have the same responsibility to be more proactive in preventing and resolving global challenges.
For example, she said that the recent agreement on Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migrationwhich is to be adopted at an international meeting in Marrakech in December, will be meaningless without implementation; “as hollow as the days to come for those who do not know where to lay their heads for the night. »
The same could be said for the Paris Agreement on climate change. “In order to address the global challenge of climate change that affects billions of people, we must implement the commitments we have collectively made,” she said, also calling for joint action to reap the benefits of the ICT revolution for all and for bolder free trade systems so that all countries and regions, particularly in Africa, can achieve long-term growth and development.
“We see a solution in liberal thinking that progress is possible without polarization, fragmentation or tribalism. Progress is the force born from debate and the search for a common solution,” she said.
“I want to demonstrate how many good ideas exist in the world,” Kalijulad continued, “already found, already tried, but only on a small scale. Ideas that help someone somewhere, that are waiting to be discovered and scaled to help as many people as possible in the world.”
Finally, emphasizing the need for multilateralism and international legal standards, President Kaljulaid said: “The role of the UN is to ensure this equality, as the guarantor of the global rules-based system. We depend on each other, whether we like it or not.”
Full statement available here.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
